The United States District Court for the District of Nevada invites attorneys admitted to practice in the district to apply for service on a mediation panel for the court's Early Mediation Program for Section 1983 Inmate Cases in the unofficial southern division of the district.

The number of pro se cases filed in Nevada has increased drastically during the past several years, especially among inmates. Managing the steadily increasing flow of Section 1983 inmate actions has become a challenge for the district. Unlike criminal proceedings, inmate plaintiffs do not have the right to appointed counsel in a civil proceeding, absent extraordinary circumstances. So, in most cases, the pro se inmates represent themselves. Judges devote substantial time to the pre-trial management and resolution of these claims at a time when judicial resources are already stretched thin.

Lawyers who volunteer for the program will serve as mediators between the pro se inmate, Nevada Department of Corrections representatives and the deputy attorney general. The mediator's role is to offer a process to discuss the parties' positions, to listen to the parties' concerns and to assist the parties in negotiating a settlement. If the case cannot be settled, the mediator can assist by helping the parties to narrow claims and defenses.

Prior mediation experience is not required, and the court encourages both new and experienced lawyers to consider becoming mediators.The court will offer a series of lunchtime training programs, and judges and lawyers who participated in mediator training in the northern division will assist in training mediators in the southern division.

Public Hearing and Invitation to Comment: Service to Indigent Defendants

On August 20, the Rural Issues Subcommittee submitted a report and recommendations to the Supreme Court regarding the review of issues concerning representation of indigent defendants in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases. A copy of the report can be found on the Supreme Court's website.

The Supreme Court will hold a public hearing on Thursday, December 4, at 2 p.m. in the Nevada Supreme Court Courtroom, 17th Floor, Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis St., Las Vegas, to consider the report and proposed recommendations. The hearing will be videoconferenced to the Nevada Supreme Court Courtroom, 201 South Carson Street, Carson City.

The court invites written comment from the bench, bar and public regarding the proposed report and recommendations. An original and eight copies of written comments should be submitted to Tracie K. Lindeman, Clerk of the Supreme Court, at 201 South Carson St., Carson City, Nevada 89701, by Wednesday,November 26 at 5 p.m. Comments must be submitted in hard-copy format. Those interested in participating in the hearing must notify the clerk no later than November 26.

Free CLE: Family Law Training for Volunteer Attorneys

Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the State Bar of Nevada have the perfect solution for those wanting to learn the nuts and bolts of family law practice, at no cost, in just three hours.

Attorneys willing to take on a pro bono divorce or custody case for someone in need will receive guidance from a top-notch, reputable family law practitioner who will also provide mentoring on the pro bono case. Volunteers will also have access to sample pleadings, briefs and free primary malpractice coverage.

Interested attorneys are invited to join Judge T. Arthur Ritchie and attorneys Ed Kainen and Susan Noyce for "The Basics of Family Law." This CLE seminar, worth three credit hours, will take placeWednesday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada's office, at 725 East Charleston Ave. in Las Vegas.

The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law is marking its 10th anniversary with a special presentation. "Making Peace with Your Enemy: Nelson Mandela and His Contributions to Conflict Resolution" will take place on Saturday, November 1, at 3 p.m.

The event, moderated by Andrea Schneider from Marquette University Law School, will feature speakers from prestigious law schools across the nation discussing the various aspects of Mandela's history, methods and contributions.

The event will take place at the Thomas & Mack Moot Court at Boyd. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Visit UNLV's website to learn more and RSVP.